Sleeper bunk restraint system

ABSTRACT

A sleeper bunk restraining system includes a sleeper bunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a top surface defining a length upon which an occupant may rest. The bunk includes a stationary portion and a movable portion defined along the length, and the movable portion is movable toward the stationary portion to form an occupant restraining barrie. A restraining member may be included and is configured for releasable connection to the vehicle such that the restraining member restrains movement of the movable portion of the bunk relative to the stationary portion of the bunk to thereby maintain the occupant restraining barrier in an occupant restraining position

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to restraint systems forsleeping bunk arrangements, and more specifically to restraint systemsfor sleeping bunk arrangements carried by a motor vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A variety of bunks have been provided for use in motor vehicles,such as in the cabs of trucks. For example, the commonly owned U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,375,879 and 5,536,042 both disclose bunks having different typesof restraint systems. Other bunks having nets extending upwardly fromthe front of the bunk are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,695,698;6,405,391; 6,367,839; and 5,529,341. A seat belt harness assembly forsecuring a person in a prone position atop a conventional vehicle seatis disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,069. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,105discloses an automobile pet seat having a U shape for positioning atop avehicle seat with a forward wall extending upwardly to limit forwardmovement of the pet.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a sleeper bunk configured to becarried by a motor vehicle and usable without direct occupantrestraints. It is further desirable to provide such a bunk with suitableindirect occupant restraints operable to maintain an occupant in thebunk when the vehicle is in motion and/or in the event of sudden vehicledeceleration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention comprises one or more of the followingfeatures or combinations thereof. A bunk having a movable portion thatis movable toward the remainder of the bunk to provide an occupantrestraint barrier. The bunk may take any of a variety of forms, and maybe implemented, for example, as a two-piece bunk having a stationarymain portion and a movable portion movable relative to the stationaryportion. As another example, the bunk may be implemented as a unitaryflexible bunk having a movable portion that is bendable relative to afixed or stationary portion. In any case, a bunk restraint mechanism maybe included for maintaining the movable portion of the bunk in anoccupant restraining position. The bunk restraining mechanism may beattached at one end to the bunk and at an opposite end to a suitablestructural component of the vehicle, such as, a rear wall or ceiling,for example. The bunk restraint mechanism may alternatively beconfigured for attachment to a suitable vehicle structure or structuresin a manner that cradles the bunk therein to thereby maintain themovable portion of the bunk in the occupant-restraining position. Thebunk restraining mechanism may or may not include a curtain configuredto extend over or adjacent to the bunk.

[0007] These and other features of the present invention will becomemore apparent from the following description of the illustrativeembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of a tractor-trailer including a sleepercab.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the preferred embodiment ofan occupant restraining bunk located in the sleeper cab and configuredin an occupant restraining position.

[0010]FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 only showing the bunk in a fullyextended and non-restraining position.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the bunk of FIG. 2illustrating one embodiment of a bunk restraining structure.

[0012]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the restraintmechanisms illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0013]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the bunk of FIG. 2illustrating an alternate embodiment of the bunk restraining structure.

[0014]FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of the bunk of FIG. 2illustrating another alternate embodiment of the bunk restrainingstructure with the bunk shown in the fully extended and non-restrainingposition.

[0015]FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the bunk and bunk restrainingstructure of FIG. 7A with the bunk in the occupant restraining position.

[0016]FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the bunk and bunk restrainingstructure of FIG. 8B with the bunk shown in the fully extended,non-restraining position and the quick release harness having beenreleased.

[0017]FIG. 8B is an enlarged perspective view of the bunk of FIG. 2illustrating yet another alternate embodiment of the bunk restrainingstructure with the bunk in the occupant restraining position.

[0018]FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of the bunk of FIG. 2illustrating a further alternate embodiment of the bunk restrainingstructure with the bunk shown in the fully extended and non-restrainingposition.

[0019]FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the bunk and bunk restrainingstructure of FIG. 9A with the bunk in the occupant restraining position.

[0020]FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the occupant restrainingbunk similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating an alternate embodiment of abunk restraining structure.

[0021]FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of an alternate embodiment ofan occupant restraining bunk located in the sleeper cab and configuredin an occupant restraining position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to a number of embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a truck 10 of thetractor-trailer type. The tractor portion 11 typically includes asleeper cab 12 located behind the driver for a person or persons tooccupy when the truck is in motion or at rest.

[0024] Sleeper cabs have a variety of couches or bunks provided therein.Shown in FIG. 2, for example, is a bunk 13 mounted within cab 12. Bunk13 includes a main or stationary portion 14 having an upwardly facingsurface 15 upon which a person 16 may rest. Stationary portion 14typically is a mattress and is fixed by conventional means to frame 17which is, in turn, secured to the truck frame. It will be appreciatedthat although the bunk 13 is illustrated herein as being mounted withinthe sleeper cab 12 of a truck 10, the bunk 13 may alternatively beprovided in, or carried by, a variety of motor vehicles.

[0025] Bunk 13 further includes a movable portion 18 that serves as abarrier or berm restricting movement of an occupant of the bunk 13 inthe direction of movable portion 18. In the illustrated embodiment,movable portion 18 is pivotally mounted by conventional means, such as ahinge 19 extending between and connecting movable portion 18 with thestationary main portion 14. For example, end wall 20 of stationaryportion 14 along with end wall 21 of movable portion 18 may be producedfrom an inflexible material thereby allowing for the mounting of hinge19 to walls 20 and 21. It will be appreciated, however, that thestructure of the walls 20 and 21 may alternatively be flexible orsomewhat flexible, and that the coupling between the walls may beflexible to provide a hinge or pivotal type of movement of movableportion 18 relative to the stationary portion 14. Furthermore, theconnection providing the movement of the movable portion 18 may takevarious forms which will permit the movable portion 18 to be raised toprovide a barrier adjacent to the stationary portion 14.

[0026] When the movable portion 18 is in the downward position shown inFIG. 3, the upwardly facing surface 24 of movable portion 18 isillustratively parallel and aligned with the upwardly facing surface 15of the stationary portion 14. Thus, the usable width oroccupant-supporting surface of the bunk is composed of surfaces 15 and24 with the width 22 extending from the rear 25 of the bunk to the front26 of the bunk. Thus, the bunk is provided with a maximum width ofupwardly supporting surface and may be used not only as a bunk but as achair or couch.

[0027] When movable portion 18 is moved to the upward position shown inFIG. 2, surface 24 extends generally upwardly away from surface 15, andin one embodiment is arranged substantially perpendicular to surface 15.The usable width 23 of the bunk extending from the rear 25 of the bunkto surface 24 is less than width 22 with movable portion 18 providing abarrier to movement of the occupant on surface 15 in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis 26 (FIG. 1) of the vehicle. Surfaces 15 and 24extend generally horizontal and parallel with axis 26 when the movableportion 18 is in the downward position. The normal direction of travelof the vehicle is shown by arrow 27 along axis 26.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, one illustrative embodiment of arestraint 30 is shown extendable upwardly from the movable portion 18over the stationary or main portion 14. Restraint 30 may take a varietyof configurations, and in the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 4,three webs or straps 31 a, 32 a and 33 a are coupled to a flexible,solid fabric curtain 34. In an alternate embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the three straps of an alternate restraint 30′ are coupled to acurtain 60 formed from a net-like material. It will be appreciated thateither curtain 34 or curtain 60 may alternatively be formed of othersuitable flexible, or at least partially flexible, material or materialsincluding, but not limited to, any solid or net-like composition ofleather, vinyl, fabric, and/or any combination thereof.

[0029] The distal end 35 of the restraint 30 is releasably connectableto the vehicle, e.g., the rear wall 36 of the cab, via any number ofknown fastening mechanisms. In FIG. 4, for example, the distal end 35 ofrestraint 30 is illustrated as including a rod 37 extending across therestraint 30, wherein portions of the distal end 35 and rod 37combinations are configured to engage three spaced apart hook-shapedbrackets or connectors 38, 39 and 40 mounted to the rear wall 36 of thevehicle.

[0030] Brackets 38-40 may be identical and thus the followingdescription relative to bracket 40 applies equally to brackets 38 and39. Bracket 40 (FIG. 5) has a mounting wall 41 mounted to the rear cabwall 36. Wall 41 includes a pair of spaced apart and upwardly turnedfingers 42 and 43 complimentarily receiving rod 37. Thus, to releasablyconnect the restraint 30 to brackets 38-40, rod 37 is moved upwardlyatop the fingers of each bracket and then moved downwardly intoengagement with the fingers of each bracket. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, rod 37 may be moved upwardly over fingers 42 and 43 and thenmoved downwardly between these fingers and wall 41 into secureengagement with bracket 40.

[0031] Three retractors 45, 46 and 47 receive respectively the proximalends 48, 49 and 50 of webs or straps 31 a, 32 a and 33 a with theretractors operable to retract the straps therein thereby collapsingrestraint 30 once rod 37 is disengaged from clamps 38-40. The retractorsmay further be spring biased and yieldable to allow extension of thestraps therefrom as restraint 30 is pulled upwardly from movable portion18 and over bunk portion 14, thereby allowing the fastening of rod 37 toclamps 38-40. The retractors may be conventional retracting devices,including, for example, automatic locking retractors or inertia lockingretractors. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in phantom in FIGS.4 and 6, webs 31 b, 32 b and 33 b may be also be attached to and extendfrom retractors 45, 46 and 47 respectively, under the bunk 13 and intoengagement with corresponding brackets 65 a, 65 b and 65 c mounted tothe rear wall 36 of the vehicle, to thereby facilitate securing bunk 13in the position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. Alternatively still,retractors 45, 46 and 47 may be mounted to the frame 17 adjacent to themovable portion 18 of bunk 13, wherein such retractors may or may not befurther connected to the rear wall 36 or other vehicle structure viawebs 31 b, 32 b and 33 b as just described.

[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, retractors 45-47are fixedly mounted to wall 50 of the movable portion 18 of bunk 13, inturn, releasably connected by a quick release mechanism 54 mounted towall 51. Wall 51 is fixedly mounted to the movable portion 18 andextends generally vertically when the movable portion 18 is in theupward position corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 4. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 4, wall 51 includes channels or holes 67 that removablyreceive rods 68 fixedly mounted to and extending from board 50. Thequick release mechanism may include a buckle/tongue combination 54 with,for example, the buckle mounted to wall 51 and the tongue mounted towall 50. Thus, a quick release capability is provided whereby buckle 54may be unlocked and wall 50 may be pulled upwardly along with retractors45-47 and restraint 30. A variety of quick release mechanisms 54 may beutilized along with a variety of restraints 30.

[0033] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the solid flexible curtain 34 isreplaced with a net-like curtain 60 coupled to straps 31 a-33 a that arereceived by retractors 45-47 mounted to the movable portion 18. Insteadof rod 37 mounted to the distal ends of straps 31-33, three conventionalbuckles 61-63 are mounted thereto and are releasably lockable withconventional tongues mounted to back wall 36. Alternatively,conventional tongues are mounted to the distal ends of straps 31-33 andthree conventional buckles 61-63 are mounted to back wall 36.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another illustrative embodimentof a restraint 30″ is illustrated. In this embodiment, a number ofconventional retractors 70 a, 70 b and 70 c are mounted to the rear wall36, and a corresponding number of webs or straps 78 a, 78 b and 78 c aremounted at one end to these retractors, and define buckle-engagingtongues 71 a, 71 b, and 71 at their opposite ends. A correspondingnumber of conventional buckles 72 a, 72 b and 72 c may be mounted toframe 17 via mounting brackets 76 a, 76 b or 76 c, or may alternativelybe attached to the underside wall 50 of the movable portion 18 of thebunk 13 via known means as illustrated in phantom by attachmentlocations 75 a, 75 b and 75 c. In one embodiment, for example, mountingbrackets 76 a, 76 b and 76 c may represent conventional retractorshaving retractable webs or straps 74 a, 74 b, and 74 c extending betweenthe respective retractors and buckles 72 a, 72 b and 72 c. In thisembodiment, webs 78 a, 78 b and 78 c are fixed-length webs so that thetongues 71 a, 71 b and 71 c may be engaged with corresponding buckles 72a, 72 b and 72 c such that the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 is cradledby straps 74 a, 74 b and 74 c and thereby secured in the positionillustrated in FIG. 7B. In another embodiment, mounting brackets 76 a,76 b and 76 c may represent conventional, fixed-position mountingbrackets having fixed-length webs or straps 74 a, 74 b and 74 crespectively connected thereto. In this embodiment, webs 78 a, 78 b and78 c are fixed-length or adjustable webs so that the tongues 71 a, 71 band 71 c may be engaged with corresponding buckles 72 a, 72 b and 72 csuch that the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 is cradled by straps 74 a,74 b and 74 c and thereby secured in the position illustrated in FIG.7B. In still another embodiment, webs or straps 74 a, 74 b and 74 c areattached via conventional means to wall 50 of the movable portion 18 ofbunk 13 at 75 a, 75 b and 75 c respectively, and mounting brackets 76 a,76 b and 76 c may be omitted. In this embodiment, webs 78 a, 78 b and 78c are fixed-length or adjustable webs so that the tongues 71 a, 71 b and71 c may be engaged with corresponding buckles 72 a, 72 b and 72 c suchthat the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 is secured in the positionillustrated in FIG. 7B.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, another illustrative embodimentof a restraint 30′″ is illustrated. Restraint 30′″ may or may notinclude a quick release mechanism as will be described subsequently. Inone embodiment of restraint 30′″, as illustrated in its restrainingposition in FIG. 8B, includes a number of conventional brackets 80 a, 80b and 80 c mounted to the rear wall 36. In this embodiment, brackets 80a, 80 b and 80 c may be identical to brackets 38, 39 and 40 illustratedand described with respect to FIG. 4, and may therefore be configured toreleasably engage rod 88. It will be appreciated, however, that brackets80 a, 80 b and 80 c need not be identical to brackets 38, 39 and 40, andmay instead by any conventional brackets configured to engage rod 88similarly as described hereinabove. In any case, bracket 80 b isattached to one end of a fixed-length or adjustable web or strap 82 bhaving an opposite end affixed to a buckle-engaging tongue 84. Acorresponding buckle 86 may be mounted to frame 17 via mounting bracket95, or may alternatively be mounted directly to wall 50 of the movableportion 18 of bunk 13 at 93 b, via web or strap 92. In one embodiment ofrestraint 30′″, first and second retractors 90 a and 90 c are mounted toframe 17 on either side of mounting bracket 95, wherein retractors 90 aand 90 c have retractable webs or straps 82 a and 82 c having first endsattached to retractors 90 a and 90 c respectively, and opposite secondends extending through corresponding brackets 80 a and 80 c and attachedto tongue 84. In this embodiment, webs 82 a and 82 c are variable orfixed length webs, and in either case, the movable portion 18 of bunk 13is secured in the occupant restraining position illustrated in FIG. 8Bby first engaging rod 88 with brackets 80 a, 80 b and 80 c, and thenadvancing the tongue 84 into engagement with buckle 86. Alternatively,tongue 84 may be engaged with buckle 86 before engaging rod 88 withbrackets 80 a, 80 b and 80 c. In another embodiment of restraint 30′″,structures 90 a and 90 c may represent conventional, fixed-positionmounting brackets, and webs or straps 82 a and 82 c are likewisefixed-length webs or straps. In still another embodiment, webs or straps92 a and 92 c are attached via conventional means to wall 50 of themovable portion 18 of bunk 13 at 93 a and 93 c respectively, andmounting brackets 90 a and 90 c may be omitted. It is to be understoodthat in any of the embodiments of restraint 30′″ just described, web orstrap 92 may be attached to frame 17 via mounting bracket 95, oralternatively attached directly to wall 50 of the movable portion 18 ofbunk 13 at 93 b, in which case mounting bracket 95 may be omitted, oralternatively still structure 95 may represent a conventional retractorin which case strap 92 may be fixed or variable length. In any case,restraint 30′″ is in its occupant restraining position when rod 88 isengaged with brackets 80 a, 80 b and 80 c and tongue 84 is engaged withbuckle 86, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. In this embodiment, buckle 86 actsas a quick release mechanism such that buckle 86 may be actuated torelease tongue 84 therefrom, which causes tongue 84 to move towardbracket 80 b thereby introducing slack into webs or straps 82 a and 82c, thereby lowering the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 to itsnon-restraining position as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, yet another illustrativeembodiment of a restraint 30″″ is illustrated. This embodiment isidentical in many respects to the restraint 30′″ illustrated anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 8A and 8B, and like numbers aretherefore used to identify like components. Structural and functionaldescriptions of such identical components will, however, be omitted herefor brevity. In this embodiment, a curtain 92 is attached at one end 92a to the movable portion 18 of bunk 13. Curtain 92 may be a solid, meshor net-like flexible material as described hereinabove with respect toFIGS. 4 and 6. In any case, webs or straps 82 a and 82 c are coupled tocurtain 92 prior to being looped through brackets 80 a and 80 crespectively, whereas webs or straps 82 a and 82 c after being loopedthrough brackets 80 a and 80 c, as well as web or strap 82 b, travelalong curtain 92 on the bunk side thereof for releasable engagement withbuckle 86. As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 9A, curtain 92 isconfigured to fold (e.g., in corrugated fashion) adjacent to the movableportion 18 of bunk 13 when the tongue 84 is released from the buckle 86such that the movable portion 18 moves to its downward, occupantnon-restraining position. Optionally, as shown in phantom in FIG. 9A, acurtain housing 94 may be positioned adjacent to the movable portion 18and mounted to frame 17 such that curtain 92 is received within, oradjacent to, housing 94 in its folded or retracted position.

[0037] In alternate embodiments of the restraint 30′″ or 30″″illustrated in either of FIGS. 8A and 8B or 9A and 9B, rod 88 may beomitted, brackets 80 a, 80 c may be conventional brackets havingthrough-holes or slots for receiving therethrough webs or straps 82 aand 82 c respectively, and bracket 80 b may be a conventional bracketconfigured to secure web or strap 82 b (either fixed length oradjustable) to wall 36. In this embodiment, the occupant non-restrainingposition of bunk 13 and restraint 30′″ or 30″″ is as illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 9A with the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 in its downwardnon-restraining position and with webs or straps 82 a and 82 c extendingacross bunk 13 as shown. Restraint 30′″ or 30″″, along with bunk 13, maybe moved to their occupant restraining positions, in this embodiment,simply by engaging tongue 84 with buckle 86, as substantiallyillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment of a bunkrestraining structure is illustrated. This embodiment is identical inmany respects to the bunk restraining structure illustrated in FIG. 2,and like numbers are therefore used to identify like components. Forexample, bunk 13 is shown supported by frame 17 of a vehicle, with themovable portion of bunk 13 in its occupant restraining position asillustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a web or strap 102 isconnected at one end to a retractor, bracket or other attachmentstructure 106 affixed or mounted to the movable portion 18 of bunk 13,or is alternatively connected at this end to a retractor, bracket ofother attachment structure 108 affixed to frame 17, as described in anyone or more of the embodiments illustrated and described herein. Unlikethe various embodiments illustrated and described thus far, the oppositeend of web or strap 102 is not attached to the rear wall 36 of thevehicle but is instead attached to a retractor, bracket or othersuitable attachment mechanism affixed to a ceiling or roof 100 of thevehicle. As in previously described embodiments, the web or strap 102and attachment structures 104, 106 and/or 108 in this embodiment areconfigured to maintain the movable portion 18 of bunk 13 in the occupantrestraining position illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment of a bunk 13′is illustrated. In this embodiment, bunk 13′ is a unitary but flexiblestructure having a stationary portion 14′ defining a top surface 116 anda bunk end 25′ abutting wall 36, and a movable portion 110 defining atop surface 116 terminating at an opposite bunk end 26′. The bunk 13′ isbendable at bend location 112 such that surface 114 extends generallyupwardly and away from surface 116 to form an occupant restrainingbarrier between end 26′ and bend location 112. Any one or combination ofthe bunk restraining structures described hereinabove may be used tomaintain the movable portion 110 of bunk 13′ in the illustratedoccupant-restraining position, including any of those that attach to therear wall 36, the ceiling or roof 100 or any other vehicle structure. Inthis embodiment, bunk 13′ may be a conventional flexible mattress, ormay instead be a flexible bunk configured to facilitate bending alongbending location 112.

[0040] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understoodthat only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and describedand that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit ofthe invention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeper bunk restraining system, comprising asleeper bunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a topsurface defining a length upon which an occupant may rest, said bunkincluding a stationary portion and a movable portion defined along saidlength, said movable portion movable relative to said stationary portionto form an occupant restraining barrier; and means for restrainingmovement of said movable portion of said bunk relative to saidstationary portion of said bunk to thereby maintain said occupantrestraining barrier in an occupant restraining position.
 2. The sleeperbunk restraining system of claim 1 wherein said movable portion of saidbunk defines a first surface and said stationary portion of said bunkdefines a second surface, said movable portion of said bunk movablerelative to said stationary portion of said bunk such that said firstsurface extends generally upwardly and away from said second surface. 3.The sleeper bunk restraining system of claim 2 wherein said movableportion of said bunk has a first position with said first and secondsurfaces cooperatively defining an occupant supporting surface.
 4. Thesleeper bunk restraining system of claim 3 wherein said movable portionof said bunk has a second position forming said occupant restrainingbarrier with said first surface extending generally upwardly and awayfrom said second surface, said second surface thereby solely definingsaid occupant supporting surface.
 5. The sleeper bunk restraining systemof claim 1 wherein said movable portion of said bunk is pivotablymovable along said length relative to said stationary portion.
 6. Thesleeper bunk restraining system of claim 1 wherein said movable portionof said bunk is bendable along said length relative to said stationaryportion.
 7. A sleeper bunk restraining system, comprising: a sleeperbunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a top surfacedefining a length upon which an occupant may rest, said bunk including astationary portion and a movable portion defined along said length, saidmovable portion movable relative to said stationary portion to form anoccupant restraining barrier; and a restraining member configured forreleasable connection to the vehicle, said restraining memberrestraining movement of said movable portion of said bunk relative tosaid stationary portion of said bunk to thereby maintain said occupantrestraining barrier in an occupant restraining position when releasablyconnected.
 8. The sleeper bunk restraining system of claim 7 whereinsaid restraining member includes at least one elongated web having afirst end connected to said movable portion of said bunk and a secondend configured for releasable connection to the vehicle.
 9. The sleeperbunk restraining system of claim 7 wherein said restraining memberincludes: a number of elongated webs each having first ends connected inspaced apart relationship to said movable portion of said bunk; and acurtain connected to each of said number of elongated webs, said curtaindefining a connecting end configured for releasable connection to thevehicle.
 10. The sleeper bunk restraining system of claim 9 wherein saidcurtain is formed of a solid flexible material.
 11. The sleeper bunkrestraining system of claim 9 wherein said curtain is formed of aflexible net-like material.
 12. The sleeper bunk restraining system ofclaim 9 further including a curtain housing positioned adjacent to saidmovable portion of said bunk, said curtain being received within saidcurtain housing when said connecting end of said curtain is notconnected to the vehicle.
 13. The sleeper bunk restraining system ofclaim 7 wherein said restraining member includes at least one elongatedweb having a first end configured for connection to the vehicle adjacentto said movable portion of said bunk and a second end configured forreleasable connection to the vehicle, said at least one elongated webcradling said movable portion of said bunk therein when said restrainingmember is releasably connected.
 14. The sleeper bunk restraining systemof claim 7 wherein said restraining system includes: a plurality ofretractors mounted to said movable portion of said bunk in spaced apartrelationship, each of said plurality of retractors including anelongated web having one end connected to a corresponding retractor andan opposite end defining a tongue; and a corresponding plurality ofbuckles configured for connection to the vehicle, each of said pluralityof buckles configured to releasably engage a tongue of a correspondingone of said plurality of retractors.
 15. The sleeper bunk restrainingsystem of claim 7 wherein said restraining system includes: a pluralityof retractors configured for mounting to the vehicle adjacent to saidmovable portion of said bunk in spaced apart relationship, each of saidplurality of retractors including an elongated web having one endconnected to a corresponding retractor and an opposite end defining atongue; and a corresponding plurality of buckles configured forconnection to the vehicle, each of said plurality of buckles configuredto releasably engage a tongue of a corresponding one of said pluralityof retractors such that one or more of said elongated webs cradle saidmovable portion of said bunk therein when said buckles engage saidtongues.
 16. The sleeper bunk restraining system of claim 7 wherein saidrestraining system includes: a plurality of retractors configured formounting to the vehicle in spaced apart relationship, each of saidplurality of retractors including an elongated web having one endconnected to a corresponding retractor and an opposite end defining atongue; and a corresponding plurality of buckles mounted to said movableportion of said bunk in spaced apart relationship, each of saidplurality of buckles configured to releasably engage a tongue of acorresponding one of said plurality of retractors.
 17. The sleeper bunkrestraining system of claim 7 wherein said restraining system includes:a plurality of retractors configured for mounting to the vehicle inspaced apart relationship, each of said plurality of retractorsincluding an elongated web having one end connected to a correspondingretractor and an opposite end defining a tongue; and a correspondingplurality of buckles configured for connection to the vehicle adjacentto said movable portion of said bunk, each of said plurality of bucklesconfigured to releasably engage a tongue of a corresponding one of saidplurality of retractors such that one or more of said elongated webscradle said movable portion of said bunk therein when said bucklesengage said tongues.
 18. The sleeper bunk restraining system of claim 7wherein said restraining system includes: a plurality of retractorsconfigured for mounting to the vehicle adjacent to said movable portionof said bunk, each of said plurality of retractors including aretractable web having one end connected to a corresponding retractorand an opposite end; a buckle attached to an opposite end of a first oneof said retractable webs a fixed-length web having one end attached to afirst bracket configured for mounting to the vehicle and an opposite endattached to a tongue; a second bracket configured for mounting to thevehicle in spaced apart relationship to said first bracket, said secondbracket slidingly receiving therethrough a second one of saidretractable webs connected at its opposite end to said tongue; and athird bracket configured for mounting to the vehicle in spaced apartrelationship to said first and second brackets, said third bracketslidingly receiving therethrough a third one of said retractable websconnected at its opposite end to said tongue, said buckle configured toreleasably engage said tongue such that at least said first, second andthird retractable webs cradle said movable portion of said bunk thereinwhen said buckle engages said tongue.
 19. The sleeper bunk restrainingsystem of claim 18 further including a curtain connected to at leastsaid second and third retractable webs, said curtain defining aconnecting end configured for releasable connection to said first,second and third brackets.
 20. The sleeper bunk restraining system ofclaim 19 further including a curtain housing positioned adjacent to saidmovable portion of said bunk, said curtain being received within saidcurtain housing when said connecting end of said curtain is notconnected to said first, second and third brackets.
 21. In combination:a motor vehicle defining a direction of travel; and a sleeper bunkcarried by said vehicle and having a length extending generallytransverse relative to said direction of travel, said bunk having astationary portion defining an occupant supporting surface and a movableportion defined along said length, said movable portion movable relativeto said stationary portion to form an occupant restraining barrier alongsaid length for restraining occupant movement along said direction oftravel.
 22. The combination of claim 21 further including a restraintmember mounted at one end to said movable portion of said bunk andreleasably connectable at an opposite end to said vehicle, saidrestraint member restraining movement of said movable portion of saidbunk relative to said stationary portion of said bunk when connected atsaid opposite end to said vehicle.
 23. The combination of claim 22further including means mounted to a wall of said vehicle for releasablyconnecting said opposite end of said restraint member thereto.
 24. Thecombination of claim 22 further including means mounted to a ceiling ofsaid vehicle for releasably connecting said opposite end of saidrestraint member thereto.
 25. The combination of claim 21 furtherincluding a restraint member mounted at one end to said vehicle adjacentto said movable portion of said bunk and releasably connectable at anopposite end to said vehicle, said restraint member cradling saidmovable portion of said bunk therein to thereby restrain movement ofsaid movable portion of said bunk relative to said stationary portion ofsaid bunk when connected at said opposite end to said vehicle.
 26. Thecombination of claim 25 further including means mounted to a wall ofsaid vehicle for releasably connecting said opposite end of saidrestraint member thereto.
 27. The combination of claim 25 furtherincluding means mounted to a ceiling of said vehicle for releasablyconnecting said opposite end of said restraint member thereto.
 28. Thecombination of claim 21 further including a restraint member mounted atone end to said vehicle and releasably connectable at an opposite end tosaid movable portion of said bunk, said restraint member restrainingmovement of said movable portion of said bunk relative to saidstationary portion of said bunk when connected at said opposite end tosaid movable portion of said bunk.
 29. The combination of claim 28further including means mounted to a wall of said vehicle for connectingsaid one end of said restraint member thereto.
 30. The combination ofclaim 28 further including means mounted to a ceiling of said vehiclefor connecting said one end of said restraint member thereto.
 31. Thecombination of claim 21 further including a restraint member mounted atone end to said vehicle and releasably connectable at an opposite end tosaid vehicle adjacent to said movable portion of said bunk, saidrestraint member cradling said movable portion of said bunk therein tothereby restrain movement of said movable portion of said bunk relativeto said stationary portion of said bunk when connected at said oppositeend to said vehicle.
 32. The combination of claim 31 further includingmeans mounted to a wall of said vehicle for connecting said one end ofsaid restraint member thereto.
 33. The combination of claim 31 furtherincluding means mounted to a ceiling of said vehicle for connecting saidone end of said restraint member thereto.
 34. The combination of: atruck having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of forwardtravel of the truck and further having a sleeper cab; a bunk mounted insaid cab, said bunk extending horizontally along said axis, said bunkhaving a fixed portion with an upwardly facing first surface extendinggenerally horizontally upon which a person may rest, said fixed portionhaving a forwardly located section and a movable front portion at saidforwardly located section with an upwardly facing second surface alsoextending generally horizontally, said movable front portion having afirst position wherein said second surface is aligned and parallel withsaid first surface cooperatively providing a bunk surface with a maximumwidth along said axis upon which a person may rest, said movable frontportion movable relative to said main portion to a position extendingupwardly from said main portion wherein said second surface extendsupwardly reducing said width and providing a barrier to movement of aperson on said first supporting surface in said direction of forwardtravel.
 35. The combination of claim 34 and further comprising: arestraint extendable over said first surface and said second surface tolimit movement of a person on said first surface and said secondsurface.